Full Notification

With Memorial Day this weekend and schools letting out, the unofficial start of summer has begun. This also begins a much more dreadful time: the 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers. The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day has historically been the deadliest part of the year for teen drivers.

One recent study cited by AAA shows:
~1,022 people die each year in crashes involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days (an average of 10 each day)
~The average number deaths in crashes involving teen drivers age 16-19 increases by 16 percent per day over other times of the year.
~ 1 in 10 of all motor vehicle nighttime crash fatalities involved a teen driver
~ Data show a 22 percent increase in the average number of nighttime crashes per day involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days compared to the rest of the year

Major causes of teen crashes include:
• Talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle: 15 percent of crashes
• Talking, texting or operating a cell phone: 12 percent of crashes
• Attending to or looking at something inside the vehicle: 11 percent of crashes
• Speed related: 29 percent of crashes
• Nighttime driving is a factor with 36 percent of teen deadly crashes falling between 9PM and 5AM

More teens are out driving recreationally with more passengers along unfamiliar roads during their summer excursions. The National Safety Council says the risk of a teen being involved in a fatal crash increases by 44% when a passenger is in the vehicle. Horseplay, loud conversations, and other distractions too often lead inexperienced drivers to make poor decisions while driving. The Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership encourages parents to have early discussions with teens about safe driving practices and to set a positive example for teen drivers by avoiding distractions themselves when driving.

As a reminder, the Indiana State Legislature enacted the following statute:
• IC 9-24-11-3.7 Operation of motor vehicle by individual less than 21 years of age while using a telecommunications device prohibited
• Sec. 3.7. An individual who is less than twenty-one (21) years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a
telecommunications device, unless the individual is using the
telecommunications device to make a 911 emergency call.

Let’s all, teens and adults alike, have a safe summer out on the roadways. Buckle up and drive safely!